I'm sure you've heard this before. Kid took out a credit card in college, ran up about $1,500 debt, dropped out of school, got sick, was unemployed and ignored all attempts for payment for two years. Received a standardized letter recently from Wolpoff & Abramson demanding nearly double amount. He called them and was lectured by someone who couldn't speak English that he had to pay immediately by western union, that they would not negotiate a settlement with him, that he must disclose where he worked and that he had to pay a specific amount montly for 12 months to clear the account. After reading numerous posts, kid wrote a polite request to settle (offered $500) to the original creditor (via email) who responded that he should contact a different agency (not wolpoff) because the debt had been sold to them. Should he continue to try to negotiate with original creditor; ask for a supervisor, etc.? Wolpoff wants payments to begin in about 10 days. Kid just received a letter from them detailing the demands they spelled out in the phone call. Should he send a validation letter to Wolpoff? Is it crazy to be communicating with both the original creditor and the collection agency at the same time? Kid has no other debt, no assets, is working at a so-so job and is quite naive with these matters (I'm not much better). By the way, is it okay to correspond with these companies via email and FAX instead of certified mail? Thanks for your help!
Wolpoff has a reputation of being one of the most aggressive (and obnoxious) CA's in the country. If the debt has in fact been sold, then h will have to negotiate with the new creditor. Wolpoff is a CA, so they must ultimately do what the owner of the debt says. Now, here are the facts of life fr your friend. 1: Just because a Collector asks where you are working doesn't mean you have to be either (a) cooperative and answer at all or (b) honest and divulge where yu work at all. I just tell those idiots I'ma piano player in a *****house. When they come in and recognize me I'll pay them. 2: All CA's always want the sun, moon, stars and 4 planets RIGHT NOW or the world will come to an end. It's their job to put the fear of God into you. Stick to your guns about what is do-able and NEVER NEVER NEVER send any post-dated checks, or give out any information about where you work or bank to those rats. 3: You have the absolute right to be treated with respect, no matter who you owe money to. If you are not given that respect, hang up. When someone calls you they become an uninvited guest in your home. When they are impolite you have the right to kick them out. What's the worst they will do? call you back? Hang up again. Call back again? Now the 3rd call is harassment. Get a copy of the 3 rapid-fire callbacks from your phone company and sue them for the FDCPA violation.
1*Should he continue to try to negotiate with original creditor;? 2*Wolpoff wants payments to begin in about 10 days. 3*Is it crazy to be communicating with both the original creditor and the collection agency at the same time? 4*Should he send a validation letter to Wolpoff? 5*By the way, is it okay to correspond with these companies via email and FAX instead of certified mail? themom50 ====================== 1*Can you buy a car form a dealer that the dealer doesn't have? 2* Wolpoff wants the money yet another CA owns the debt.What happens to the kid if he pays Wolpoff and the owner of the debt (other Ca) comes gunning for Billy the kid?????? 3*No crazier than dealing with the ford and chevy dealer both for the ford when only the ford dealer has the ford. 4*Send the Validation Letter to Wolpoff and the other CA both! 5*CRRR always. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """""""""```~~~```'"""""""""
thanks lbrown59. i am new to this mess and appreciate the advice. Kid is documenting everything and will send validation letters via CRRR tomorrow to both as you suggest. Do you know of others who have had success in negotiating with CA once Wolpoff has become involved? From what I've read here, it seems that W&A are nearly impossible to deal with.
